Hope Coal Co., Inc., 3705 Cumberland Trace, Birmingham, AL 35242, Maximus Mine, NPDES Permit Number AL0079103, north of State Highway 79 southeast of Hayden, for issuance of a permit for proposed discharges of treated drainage from a surface coal mine and associated areas to Kelly Creek, Longs Branch, unnamed tributaries to Kelly Creek and unnamed tributaries to Longs Brach, all classified for Fish & Wildlife, in the Warrior River Basin.

Warrior River Services, LLC, 1516 20th Street South, Suite 220, Birmingham, AL 35205, Birmingport Barge Facility, NPDES Permit Number AL0079405, west of State Highway 269 southwest of Powhatan, for issuance of a permit for proposed discharges of treated drainage from a mineral transportation and storage facility and associated areas to the Locust Fork of the Black Warrior River, classified for Fish & Wildlife, in the Warrior River Basin.

Twin Pines Coal Co., Inc., 74 Industrial Parkway, Jasper, AL 35501, Buttahatchee East Mine, NPDES Permit Number AL0078271, north of US Highway 278 northeast of Winfield, for issuance of a permit for proposed discharges of treated drainage from a surface coal mine and associated areas to Buttahatchee River, Kimbrough Cove Creek, Craft Pour-Off, unnamed tributaries to Buttahatchee River and unnamed tributaries to Kimbrough Cove Creek, all classified for Fish & Wildlife, in the Upper Tombigbee River Basin.

The Department has tentatively determined that the proposed actions described in this notice are consistent with the Water Quality Rules and Regulations; and are consistent with the Department’s Anti-degradation Rules; and for those in the coastal area, are consistent with the Alabama Coastal Management Program.

Persons wishing to comment may do so, in writing, to the Department's named contact above within 30 days following the publication date of this notice. COMMENTERS SHOULD IDENTIFY THE APPROPRIATE NPDES NUMBER ON THE FIRST PAGE OF THEIR COMMENTS. In order to affect final decisions, comments must offer technically substantial information that is applicable to the proposed permit.

A written request for a public hearing may also be filed within that 30-day period and must state the nature of the issues proposed to be raised in the hearing. The Director shall hold a public hearing whenever it is found, on the basis of hearing requests, that there exists a significant degree of public interest in the permit application or draft permit. The Director may also hold a hearing if he determines that it would clarify one or more issues involved in the permit decision.

After consideration of all written comments, review of any public hearing record, and consideration of the requirements of the Alabama Water Pollution Control Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and applicable regulations, the Department will make a final determination. The Department will develop a response to comments, which will become part of the public record and will be available to persons upon request. Notice will be sent to any person requesting notice of the final action.

This notice is hereby given this April 25, 2008, by authorization of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.